CONNECTICUT
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
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Professionals required to report
“Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101; 53a-65
The following persons are required to report:
• Physicians, surgeons, residents, interns, nurses, medical examiners, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, chiropractors,
podiatrists, physician assistants, pharmacists, or physical therapists
• Psychologists or other mental health professionals
• School employees, as defined by § 53a-65
• Social workers
• Police officers, juvenile or adult probation officers, or parole officers
• Members of the clergy
• Alcohol and drug counselors, marital and family therapists, professional counselors, sexual assault counselors, or domestic
violence counselors
• Licensed foster parents
• Licensed behavior analysts
• Emergency medical services providers
• Any person paid to care for a child in any public or private facility, child daycare center, group daycare home, or family daycare home that is licensed by the State
• Employees of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Public Health, and the Office of Early
Childhood who are responsible for the licensing of child daycare centers, group daycare homes, family daycare homes, or
youth camps
• The Child Advocate and any employee of the Office of Child Advocate
• Family relations counselor trainees or family services supervisors employed by the Judicial Department.
The term ‘school employee’ includes teachers, substitute teachers, school administrators, school superintendents, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, school paraprofessionals, or coaches employed by a local or regional board of education or a private elementary, middle, or high school or any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students. “
Other persons required to report
“Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-103
Any mandated reporter acting outside his or her professional capacity, or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, may report.”
Institutional responsibility to report
“Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101b(d); 17a-101e(a)
Whenever a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child has been abused or neglected by a
member of the staff of a public or private institution or facility that provides care for such child or a public or private school, the
mandated reporter shall report as required by law. The DCF commissioner or the commissioner’s designee shall notify the principal, headmaster, executive director, or other person in charge of the institution, facility, or school, or that person’s designee, unless that person is the alleged perpetrator of the abuse or neglect of the child. In the case of a public school, the commissioner also shall notify the person’s employing superintendent. The person in charge or the person’s designee then shall immediately notify the child’s parent or other person responsible for the child’s care that a report has been made.
No employer shall do any of the following:
• Discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against any employee who in good faith makes a report of child abuse or
neglect, testifies, or is about to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect
• Hinder, prevent, or attempt to hinder or prevent any employee from making a report as required or testifying in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect”
WHAT ARE THEY REQUIRED TO REPORT
“Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-101a
A report is required when, in the ordinary course of his or her employment or profession, a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe the following of any child under age 18:
• Has been abused or neglected
• Has had a nonaccidental physical injury or an injury that is at variance with the history given of the injury
• Is placed at imminent risk of serious harm
Any school employee shall report when, in the ordinary course of his or her employment or profession, he or she has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person who is being educated by the technical high school system or a local or regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education program, is a victim of abuse and the perpetrator is a school employee.
A mandated reporter’s suspicion or belief may be based on factors, including, but not limited to, observations, allegations, facts, or statements by a child, victim, or a third party. Such suspicion or belief does not require certainty or probable cause.”
PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REPORT
“Failure to Report
Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101a; 17a-101e(a)
Any mandated reporter who fails to report as required by law or fails to make such report within the time period prescribed by law shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. That person, however, shall be guilty of a class E felony if any of the following is true:
• The failure to report is a subsequent violation.
• The failure to report was willful, intentional, or due to gross negligence.
• The person had actual knowledge that a child was abused or neglected.
Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under age 18 or any person who is being educated by the Technical Education and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education program.
Any person found guilty under the provisions of this section shall be required to participate in an educational and training program.
The attorney general may bring an action in superior court against an employer who discharges or in any manner discriminates or retaliates against any in employee who in good faith makes a report of child abuse or neglect. The court may assess a civil penalty of no more than $2,500 and may order such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate.”
PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING
“False Reporting
Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-101e(c)-(d)
Any person who is alleged to have knowingly made a false report of child abuse or neglect shall be referred to the office of the Chief State’s Attorney for purposes of a criminal investigation.
Any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or neglect shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.”
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
REPORTER’S IDENTITY
“Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101d; 17a-103
The reporter is not specifically required by statute to include his or her name in the report. The DCF commissioner shall use his or her best efforts to obtain the name and address of the reporter.
Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-28(f)
The name of an individual reporting suspected child abuse or neglect or cooperating with an investigation of child abuse or neglect shall be kept confidential upon request or upon determination by the department that disclosure of such information may be detrimental to the safety or interests of the individual. The following are exceptions for which the name of the reporter may be disclosed:
• An employee of the department for reasons reasonably related to the business of the department
• A law enforcement officer for purposes of investigating the following:
» Abuse or neglect of a child or youth
» An allegation that the individual falsely reported the suspected abuse or neglect of a child or youth
• A State’s attorney for purposes of investigating or prosecuting the following:
» Abuse or neglect of a child or youth
» An allegation that the individual falsely reported the suspected abuse or neglect of a child or youth
• An assistant attorney general or other legal counsel representing the department
• A judge of the Superior Court and all necessary parties in a court proceeding pursuant to § 17a-112 or 46b-129, or a criminal prosecution involving child abuse or neglect
• A State child care licensing agency
• The executive director of any institution, school, or facility or superintendent of schools pursuant to § 17a-101i”